Stephen Curry pushed Steve Nash into retirement

Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement

In the latest episode of Mind the Game, the podcast co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a memorable and heartfelt story from Nash about a preseason game that made him realize his body could no longer keep up.

Steve Nash's Turning Point

Nash recounted a friendly match against the Golden State Warriors where Curry’s performance was overwhelming. Nash said,

“They put like 50 points on us in the first quarter. He was running everywhere, my back was shot, everything was out of whack, I was dragging myself, and Steve Kerr was making them play everything off of me.”

This experience led Nash to a major decision within days.

The Decision to Retire

Shortly after the game, Nash called Mitch Kupchak to announce his retirement. Reflecting on the influence of Curry, he humorously stated,

“Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”

This admission highlights the symbolic passing of the torch between two basketball generations: the artistic playmaker of the 2000s and the revolutionary shooter.

Collaboration After Retirement

Following his retirement in 2015, Nash became a player development consultant, a role he held until 2020. While not a full-time staff member, he worked closely with players, especially guards and point guards, contributing his expertise off the court.

How Stephen Curry Influenced the New Generation

The story underscores Curry's dominant impact on basketball, illustrating how his style changed the game and affected players from the previous era.

Author's Summary: Stephen Curry's extraordinary playstyle pushed Steve Nash to retire, symbolizing a generational shift in basketball and leading to a new chapter for both legends.

Ninety-Nine Yards — 2025-11-06